A Chicago-based firm is planning an $18 million redevelopment of a 232-unit apartment community on Milwaukee's far northwest side.

Prairie Management and Development Inc. plans to add new windows, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, electrical systems, security equipment and other features to Bradley Townhomes, 6411 W. Bradley Road, said James Scherer, of the Department of City Development.

Scherer discussed those plans at Thursday's meeting of the city Redevelopment Authority.

The authority approved a $16.5 million bond sale to help finance the project. Prairie Management would sell the bonds to investors, and be solely responsible for paying off the bond debt.

Selling the bonds in the authority's name means the bond purchasers don't pay taxes on the bonds. That means the investors are willing to accept a lower interest rate from Prairie Management.

The renovated apartments would have rents ranging from $578 for one-bedroom units to $950 for units with three bedrooms, Scherer said.

The authority also approved a $680,000 city loan to help pay for an environmental cleanup tied to a $12 million apartment project on S. Kinnickinnic Ave., just south of E. Conway St., in Bay View.

Developers Kyle Strigenz and Tyler Hawley plan to build a 70-unit, five-story building on the site, now occupied by Lonefeather Trading Post and some small rental units. The project received city zoning approval in December.

The development will include 14 apartments set aside for residents who earn no more than 60% of the area median income.

The set-aside apartments will have rents ranging from $675 for a studio to $850 for two-bedroom units. The building's market-rate units will rent from $700 to $1,600.

The building is to begin construction in late summer, and will take about a year to complete, Strigenz said.